Note 257 — Chapter II
Reading edition
Story relates that a single case was argued for nine days. (Story to Fay, Feb. 16, 1808, Story, i, 162.)
In the Charlestown Bridge case, argued in 1831, the opening counsel on each side occupied three days. (Story to Ashmun, March 10, 1831, ib. ii, 51.)
Four years later Story writes: "We have now a case ... which has been under argument eight days, and will probably occupy five more." (Story to Fay, March 2, 1835, ib. 193.)
In the lower courts the arguments were even longer. "This is the fourteenth day since this argument was opened. Pinkney ... promised to speak only two hours and a half. He has now spoken two days, and is, at this moment, at it again for the third day." (Wirt to his wife, April 7, 1821, Kennedy, ii, 119.)